Apparatus for reclaiming crown caps



Nov. 28, 1944. G. F. STONE APPARATUS FOR RECLAIMING CROWN CAPS 2 sheets-sheet 1 Filed Dec. 11, 1942 Nw. 2s, 1944.' F, STONE 2,363,815

APPARATUS FOR RECLAIMING CROWN CAPS Filed Dec. ll, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I N VEN TOR.

Patented Nov. 28, 1944 y APPARATUS FOR George Franklin Stone,` Nutley, J.,=assgnor"t n Royal Crown Bottling Companyiof NewarkJnc., Newark, N. J., a corporaton'of New Jersey vention described and claimed in my copending application SerialNo. 462,803, iiled October-,21,

A general object of the present invention is the provision of such apparatus which in anv efficient and `commercially t practicable manner readily a' fed` used cap comes to rest inthe "vicinity of Application Decemberll, 1942,!Serial No. 468,872 i i is claims.` (o1. 113-38) t n The present invention relates to apparatusyfor` reclaiming usedlcrown caps `for bottles andthe like, and constitutes an improvement on theinreshaping apparatus, it is initially supportedin s a tilted position to presenta flute of lthe cap skirt to cap-aligning structure in such position as to provide a well defmednotch in which capaligning means may readily `and securely engage l for. subsequent eilicientaligning orientation of A stili further obieotl of the" invention is the 'provision in such apparatus of cap-aligning and effectively `reshapes distorted used crown structure so associated with male" die .structure caps, making them suitable `for reuse, and to as to `perform itsiunctionin an automatic and provide in such apparatus cap-aligning mechaeffective manner as the male and female reshap-4 nism` of "simple construction which in a positive ing dies are moved toward each other to `cap reand eflcientmanner assures proper alignment of` shaping positions. distorted used capsbetween reshapingdiesmakl5 A still further object of the present invention ing more practical a rapid com'mercialoperation is the provision of` structural embodiments ofthe of maximum efiiciency. device of the present inventioriwhich are read y A morespecific `object of the invention is the` ily constructed and allow efficient useand oper provision in such apparatus of cap-aligning ation thereof. V l p structure which is featured by means adapted Other Objects `0f the ventn `Will in part be l to engage the skirt of a distorted usedcap when obvious and will in part appeal' hereinafter. in a variety of invertedpositions as fed to the The invention aCCOfdIlgly AComprises the fea- Vicinity of lreshaping dies, Lwhich may be so 'tures of construction, combination of elements formed aseffectively to engage a flute in a cap andy arrangement of parts which will be exem- 'skirt,`and then to orient the cap or move it to a 25 plied in the construction set forth in the folpredetermined aligned position in an efficient lowing detaileddisclosure, andthe scope of the manner, and which upon accomplishing that deinvention will-be indicated in "the claims.

sired endmay, inaddition to substantially align` For a fuller understanding `of the nature anding the center of the cap top with the axis of a objects of theinvention, reference should be had reshaping die, also orient the cap to aposition` to1the following `detailed description taken in `where flutes and ribs inthe `cap skirt are so connection with the accompanying drawings, in y aligned With reshaping structure of dies as Kto whieh aSSuIS a minimum defOrmatiOn 0f Cap stock in Fig. 1 is a verticalsectional `view with parts the Skirt upon eshapement and Consequently brokenaway `of a structural embodiment of the @Void tendency to rupture cap stock nrthe Skirt. present invention showing the initial positions of Anmhel` Object Ofi the invention is t9 Provide theparts thereof atterra distorted used cap has in crown capreclaiming apparatus a female die been fed thereto fol-reshaping 1 havmg `a substantially cylindrical Socket' therem Fig. 2'" is a View similar to Fig; 1 of partof the W1@ thSlde Walls of the Socket ha'Vmg ai plu' structure shown therein and depicting apparataht? o; clrcumierenplauy spaced apa. Slots exi' 40 tus parts in their relative positions just prior to `ttfriit??iSiiit't it @imperative mvemenif the fiale and female flutes in the skirt of sucha `cap and shaping ribs d1?. dugntg ca'pfeshpltg. Otpergtlonz h t i h i intervening between such slots, anda cap-align-` 1s @.vlewlslml al" o 1g" s Owmg t e ing structure having means adapted to `engage i relaif'm? pqsltlfms of ,apparatuSL parts ponlcom the skirt of a distorted used cap when in a vapletfon O f ap reshapm? Qpratlom, i l riety of positionsas fed to such female die and F15 t 1S a Sectlolal'vlew 0f Caprllg'mng mechupon axial movement toward the latter to orient m5@ and male d1@ Structure taken 0n line 4 4 or assure orientation of such cap with respect to` 0f.F 1g 3? j n shaping ribs of the female die so as to bringiiutes Flg- 5`S a bottQm] Plan VeWlWth Darts bOkeIl l inthe cap skirtinto substantial alignment there- @Way 0f a used CIOWIICSfD and Cap-gnihg Strucwith or assure such disposition thereof. n y `ture of Fig. 1 showing aligning engagement there` `A further object ofthe invention is the probetween;` l. x t vision in `such apparatus of `means which when Fig. 61`is an elevational `,view,`with part-s broken away and vin section,showing a modified `form of` the cap-aligning mechanism of the present invention;

Fig. 7 is a vertical sectional view, with parts broken away, of another embodiment of capaligning mechanism of the present invention shown associated with male die structure and with the shown parts in the initial positions prior to operation for aligning a distorted used cap and thereafter reshaping the same; and

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 1 of still another embodiment of the present invention,

` Prior to the present invention the apparatus ofv the above identified application -was'developedto reshape distorted crown caps in whatever form they may be as a result of prying'them off'the necks of beaded containers,V such as by aloottle openr, to a form permitting their efficient reuse in the closure of such containers.. v Suchmechanism provided for feed of such caps to the vicinity of reshaping dies and contemplated alignmentof each caprelative ,thereto byany suitablemeans such asbylhand. The present invention proposes mechanismfonattaining such cap-alignment in a.particularandlpositive manner which efficiently `eliminateshand alignment'of caps or any necessity therefor. The details of the .invention will be readily understood by reference to theaccompanying drawingsin which like numerals refer to like parts throughout of. an embodimenttherein shown by way of example.

As show-n in Figs. l, 2 and 3, a female die |,0 comprising an annular sleeve-like member is supported inlanlysuitable manner such as, by way of example, upon a supporting or base plate AI.| and held in ldesired position by any suitable surrounding structure l|2. The base plate Il and surrounding lstructure l|2 may be held in a fixed manner or constitute part of a turret headsuitably provided with a plurality or succeeding series of female dies IB adapted to be carried s uccessively to adistorted crown cap receiving station,

, a cap-aligningstation, a reshaping station and a reshaped cap removing station, or tostations whereat two VoI'imore of the indicated operations are combined. v Y i The distorted crown caps may besuccessively fed to the femaleldie by 4any suitable means,such

, asby a chute |3. As shownin Fig. lthe female die l mayV comprise a. pairof interfittedsleeves with the inner .sleeve |4 having a lip I5 and a plurality of' circumferentially Vspaced apart ,slots lli-I6 in the side walls I1 thereof extending a predetermined distance axially` of the female die l0 so as to receive ribs |8| 8 intervening between flutes Ill-I9 in the skirt of adistorted cap .20. As shown in Fig. 1 the top 2| of such.cap..2 is usually distorted bythe formation of an in'denta` tion or transversely vextending -bend therein.

Within thesleeve-like female die I0 is reciprocatively disposed a cylindrical plug or anvil block 22 having the outward surface 23 thereof shaped complementary tothe desired shape of the-top of acap. lThe anvil block-22 is suitably .supported by springvbiasing means .24 such as a helical lspringr and may be limited` in its retractive movement either by suitable abutment, means cooperatively located on the sleeve I4 and theblock22 or by `the spring 24 When under full compression asindicated in Fig. 3. The outward surface 23 of the block; 22 constitutes the bottomof asocket, the side walls of which are formed bywalls I1 of the female die IU. This socket is provided withaplurality of circumferentially spaced apart. ribs 25--25 bythe formation of theslots |,6,-|\6 therein. As shown in Fig. 2 this socket is adapted to receive a distorted cap 20.

The male die 26 of the present invention has a substantially circular end 21 t0 force the top 2| of the cap 20 into the socket of the female die I0 for reshaping the same and this circular end is contoured complementary to the outward surface 23 of the anvil block 22. A plurality of axially extending utes 28-28 are formed on the circumferential surface of the male die 26 in any suitable manner, such as by cutting and/or grind- Vving wheels.

-This fluting provides a plurality of axiallyextending circumferentially spaced apart ribs 29-2 9.

The ribs 29-29 terminate in inwardly curved -ends 30-30 extending no farther than the circular end-21 and are shaped complementary to the ribs 8-|8.in the cap skirt. The ribs 29-29 'are arranged for cooperation with ribs 25-25 shoulder 32 as to pi ovide for alignment of theI outward surface 36 thereof with thesurface of the circular end 21 cooperatively toprovide a cap top reshaping surface as is indicated in Fig. 3.'

Preferably the plunger 34 'is vprovided with any suitable means adapted to cooperate with shoulder 33 to limit outward travel thereof.v Such means may comprise a bolt 31 having av threaded end thereof engaged in a threaded'hole inthe plunger V341 yI-Iead`38 of the bolt 31 may provide abutment means cooperating with the shoulder 33. The bolt 31 is preferably biased by a helical ,or coil-Spring 3 9 held in therbore v3| under'compres.- sion Aby a plug 40 threaded into the `end of reducedshank portion 4| ofthe male die 26 so ras normally to cause Ithekicker plunger 34"]to project from the end21 as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

l lIt rwill'be noted from Fig. 2 that the plunger y34jsof such diameter as readily to be receivable' in distorted caps.

With the apparatus described above distorted crown. caps may be readily reshaped by seating a distorted cap 2Uin the shaping socketof the female die i0 as showngin Fig.r2. `,'I'lie Inaleand abutment shoulder 32 stops further Iretractive travel of theplunger 34. yThereafter-the cooperf ative surfaces V21 and A36 willreshape the, cap top 2| as .shown in Fig. 3. At-l the Sametime the cap stock in `the skirt thereof .will jbefsnugly engagedbetween the ifaces 0f the ribs 12li-25 andthe root `surfaces of: the flutes 28-28. Dur.-

ribs 29-29 engagein `the ribs |8.-|8 of thecap skirt ttoplace strainv upon the .stock of the cap skirtto reshape the'ribs thereof. y i n with ,the v shaping ribs 25g-2,5.or-thefema1e ,di

engaged in the cap skirt flutes |`9`|`9 this action `will stretch the cap stock ofrthefskirt across,`

around and over the ribs 25-25 to the proper,

gesamt shape resulting in `a. reshapedcap shown in Fig.` i

3. `It has been found that with the use ofsuch dies there is not a pronounced tendency for them to reshape the ribs` and flutes in the cap skirt "at points1 other than their original formation therein due to the fact that the sloping sur.`

t faces of theribsrandsiotgof thefemaie` die and those of the ribs andflutes of the male die tend to cause the distorted caplautomatically `toassume a'position Where `the ribsof the skirtthereof are substantially `aligned with the slots of the femaledie. `Any such tendency is eliminated to a practical degree if alignment of each cap in `the female die is performed, preliminary to reft shapingooperation, bycap-alignment mechanism e pofthe `present invention. 'e

`Suitable cap-aligningstructure of the present 1 invention may be `provided separate from `the male` die and brought into cooperative position with `respect tothe femaledie and then-moved away prior to` operation f the male die and,`

Vas such, may be located at a `separate. cap-alignj` ing station,such as in a turretlstructureu Pref-" `or `orient the Acapito. its desired" position i' with i those flutes substantially.alignedlwiththe shapi `ing ribs"25-25'o`f the` female die as-4 the cap# 1` member x42 is` moved toward the female i die.` i .i i e Y AsA shown in Fig. l `the shank 4| ofA the male diei-26 may be Vmounted in a bore in a suitable gradually* flared outwardly` away fromfthe axis e `of thelcollar iinallymerging withthe collar at t or `near the outer endlthereof, such as is indi' cated at.\46-`46. `For most eicient engagingand l aligning'action, theii'ared ends of the ribs 44-44 i at 46--46 arel also rounded andtapered, as shown, andthe so-formed curvedmedges of therib ends act as cams in thezcap Skirt flutes I9--l9to align aligning support 41, part of which is'shown broken away,

and mayibe guided for reciprocative movement relative to the `female die such as by `interfitting means (not shown) "on the. support l2 and the support 41. be held iniixed position in the support 41 by suitable means such as by a set screw threaded into .the support `tothe borereceiving the shank 4l as indicatedr in dotted lines at 48.

i action on the lmaledie relative'to the support 41 erably, however; in accordance with the embodiment shown in the drawings it is associated with* the male die to align a" distorted cap in a female die prior to cap reshaping operation ofthe male; die and to assure that the cap remains in aligned position until the male `and femaledies clamp; it `therebetween during `reshaping. operation.`

Thusl it is to be` understood that the cap-align" ing structure mayfcomprise a cap-aligning mem-` ber, suchas a collar or sleeve 42,'having a socket 43 therein to receive a distorted cap 2|).` The socketf43 `may be formed by a through bore, as

shown, in which the malekdie 26 is slidably receivedand is of such lateral dimension at the` mouth thereof asreadily to receive, when the axes of thesocket 43 `and the female die are substantially aligned,` the portion of any average distorted cap which is of greatest lateral dimen-l sion, such as the edge of the skirt,-when the` oapf'is in a variety of inverted positions in the female? die socket which are possible with the omission therefrom of cap tilting lmeans 0rdif ferent angular positions of such captilting means, e Means are provided in the aligning socket 43 to `engage in a ute I9 in thecap skirt for alignment ofthe engaged iiute with one of the shaping `ribs of the female die. Such meansmay cornprise alrib 44 on the aligning socket Wall but e preferably are aplurality thereof extendinglongi- 1 tudinally of the collar 42 and located in circumferentially spaced apartrelation in the bore.

A As shown in Fig. 4 preferably seven aligning ribs 44-44 are provided in collar 42for` a imale die having twenty-one ribs 29-29,\Which is equal in number to the number of ribs I8`I8 formedas a common `practice on crown caps. The ribs 44-44 are so shaped as readily? tobe slidably received in certain of flutes 2li- 280i` the male `dieand with the bore `4?` of i greater` diameter than the outside diameter `of the male die 2E inclusiveof its ribs 29-29, as shownin Fig. 4,

to permit the male die to slide easily in the col- 'lar or sleeve 42.

As shown in Figs.` 1,4 and 5 the ribs 44-44 are of narrowest dimension and preferably rounded at their edges 1-45-45 to provide for ready engagement `of each in 'a cap skirtflute I9 and at i fthe mouth ofthecollar 42 the ends of the ribs l4-47--44 which are nearest thefemale die I0 are by anysuitablemeans suchas` auplurality ofk supporting bolts `49--49y say threefintnumber,` With-their threadedends engaged in internally threaded 4bores in` the back `or trailing. end of collar or sleeve` 42 and with the `headed end of i i each received in `a bore 50 in the supportr41 countersunk to` provide a shoulder. 5| functioning as .la limiting stop for the head ofthe bolt.

; These bolts 49---49` thus `mountfithe cap-align.;

ing collar 42 to thessupport 41 `With the mouth or`-outer end thereof `initially positioned beyond the end 21 of the male die 26 as shown. Such positioning is important since in moving the male die toward thefemale `die the cap-aligning mechanism `should `perform its functions before `any portion of the distorted cap is clampedabetween portions of the male and `female dies asbetween an anvilfblock 22 andthekicker device34, other- Wise `proper alignment or orientation of ai` cap i `might be interfered with or prevented. i e

The cap-aligningcollar or sleeve 42 `is heldin` its initial position shown infFig. 1 by a biasing The -`back or trailing counterbored at 53` to provide of the helical spring 52. i

In orderto assure the` presentation of a Well defined `notch in theskirt of the distortedcap 2llto at least one ofthe .aligning ribs 44 ithas been found to be advisable `to position the dis- `tortedkcap in the female die in a tilted position as shown in* Fig, 1. Such positioning will. present a flute` I9 to theoutwardly flared end 46 cof a rib 44 in such position as to provide a well defined notch for engagement `therein of the flared and `rounded camming face of the rib 44.

Any suitable means .for accomplishing such tilting of `the cap is contemplated bythe present invention andybyway of example; such means t may be a projecting lmember or pin 54frecipro-t catively mounted in abore offset from the axis ofthe anvil block 22 of the female die and biased by `a small relatively` lWeak helical spring. 55 to` The shank lll` of themale `die may v The cap` `aligning collar 42Uis `permitted limited sliding 4nroieetingrpositionas.shownin Fig. -11 Asthere- A1in shown the leap# tilting meanscr pin .54 is -foiset from- ;,the axis .-of the ffemale die toward: the supply, chute lf3.rb.ut :obviously may .bealocated in any, other; angular @position as desired. As

shown a, hole Amay be drilled. through the .anvil block 22 .and counterbored V'to receive: an enlargedghead 56- lon'v pin 5,4 for :limiting .outward :movement thereof. The` spring `55 .may Abe confined in the# counterboredlportion of thexhole vbetween-the head-*5,6 andy afthreaded plu-g. 58.

.The cap-.aligning lstructure ,depicted 1inV `the drawings and the male andfemale dies associated .therewith operate in the following manner: A -distorted used capzfll]` isqfedyfrom the-.chute f|lt3 .to thesocket in `thefemale dieand isvxtherein supported bythe pin '54 in .the V`tiltediposition shown in Fig. -l. Thei-male diesupport @4.1 sthen may, I.by WayV of. exa1nple,;be movedr towardthe 'female die-support ,l 2 .wthrthefaxes of= thermale and female `dies .substantially aligned, carrying .the capaligning collar or s1eeve:4-Zdown over `the distorted cap -and engaging the. aredita.-

-pered face 46 of an valigning rib x44nearestthe chute I3 into contact withthe vedgefof hexskirt of the clap. `Since the. capA is supported in t'he tilted position shown a Well :defined notch between adjacent ribs in the cap skirt is presented tothe approaching or leading end of thatzalig'ning rib. That end ofithe` aligning: rib -fwill a1- Ways seat in -that notch by virtue of the shape and. relative dimensions ofthe ribsandinterven- -ing flutes in the cap skirt-.which are-.indicated in Fig. 5. Upon further movement'v of the sup- Dort -41 toward the female die support' LZ-'the a' cap 20.Will be oriented inytheffemal'e diesocket by cooperative camming action ofthe aligning ribs'44-44 in cap skirt flutes JIS-49 bringing the center ofthe cap` top 2l :into substantial aIignment with theaX-is of thefemaledie structure. The outer or leading end of thealigning collar or sleeve 42 will ,be moved to abutment with the lip l or -end of the female-die t0 vto limit further movement thereof.4 .Approaching travel of the support 41, is: continued-.to cause the male die Zfi to slide through lthe stopped aligning collar 42 causing the kicker 34 to` move into the cap and finally engage the vtoptZI-fthere.- of. This Will cause the capito be .seated Vinan oriented position in the female ldie socket depresskick the reformed cap out -of the socket ofthe female die and the kicker 34 :torproject4 from .the end ofA the male die yto free the reformed cap from the end thereof. The pin t5,4 will pro,- ject to raise thereshaped.cap-.toitiltedaposition thusv facilitating removal operati-ons which may lbe performed, by Way of example. by an-air. jet,

trip finger, etc.

kvkIt is to. be understocdthatsince the-.eap-.alignf ing mechanism 4need-.not be -assoeiatedrwith lthe male die, such'asin theiformgiof asleeverslidably shaping-a distorted capalgned in thefemaledie ing the pin `511, permitting the captopfto be, pushed Y `into seating engagement. with ythe top of` the anvil block 22 as shownnin Fig. 2.

asociale disrsedithereoveras .inc the embodiment Shown intEes. 1ft0fi4,;inclusive-,.otthedrawinas; the can aligning .-mechanism .may comprise other thany a Gellar-4 orsleeveha-Vrlg -a through bore. -It may .comprise-ar member having-a recess therein suitablyshaped Atoreceive-and orienta-distorted cap,

:asf-,illustratedinFig, 6;-andit is to be understood tliat-trieiterinsocket'as used `herein with reis-pect Lto cap-,aligning structure .identifies either suona. recess-or the-mouthportion-,of the bore inea self-aligning y.collar or sleeve. Further. ,it

.wilhbeunderstood-,that inthe-association ofthe n .eapfalignlmechanismrwithjgthe male \die, the collar. on-,Sleeye-need not completely` encompass therein.the.aligningv ribs. Obviously the latter ,may-projectzfrom lthe end `of Asuitable supporting strueturegsuch as-a nari-0W ring, as illustrated -in ,Eig 17;; or-"maybe reciprocativelymounted inthe support for the male die,--. s 1lch.-.as 41, With-suit.- `able-mea11S being- .provided -for ycausing the-align- .ing members-.or -ribsto slide in the flutesofthe male die; -as--illustrated .iIl. Fig. -8.

vlnrig.. s6 is .shown .aman-aligning. structure .lll-2.of the-structureshown in Figs..1 to 4, inclun sive.. .-Such- .a cap-aligning structure, asf pre.- viouslvexplained, isadapted for use-previous-to the employmentofnthe male A,diestructure for reby-such cap-aligning structure.

-In1the structure shovvn 4in lFig-7 pt-he'sleevefor collar 242.-to Whichthe' aligning -ribs l|4-,44i` are ,mountedfonwith-Which they are made integral is foreshortened 1so.that atleast theoutward ends of .-thoseribs project `beyond-the end of the surrounding sleeve.- 'Ihe--ribs, however, operate in a-mannersimilar-to theirfoperation in the istrucf- .tures-shown :in Figs. ,l to 6, inclusive.

In the-structure shown in Fig. 8 ther-cap,-

-aligning -ribs- M4-:|44 are shown as separate structures, each -separately reciprocable inthe mount thereof. whichmay be thesupport-4'l for the` maler-die. These ribs Idd-|44 also function` irl-a .manner-similar tothe functioning vof -ribs A14-.44 ofthe structures shown in Figs. .l to .7-, .inc1usve, .as to the `alignment fof flutes .in the outside surface of. the skirt .of 4a vdistorted Vcap vwith respect tothe-ribs in a female die.

' ,Itis- ,-believed voto. be obvious that -cap tilting means-such as-pin 54; and `kicker -rneans such las block- 22 -and plunger ,S4-,of the-dies may be operatedbylmeans. other than biasing springs 55,

Mwand ,3B-z Forexarnple, they may be operated progressively.- by suitable mechanism timed inrelation tofthe .fmovements of the dies andl capaligning -me ans such `as that shown in 4(Brlenn S. Ratent N o. 882,060 of March-17, 1908. Ittwill-thus be seen that the-objects set forth above and-indicated herein, -among others, vare attained in an. efficient lmanner land-since certain vchanges =may -be made in `theabove construction and.. differentembodirnents .-of the inventioncould be-made IWithout departing-from the scope there,- of, itis intended that all matter containedin the -above description-.or shown in the` accompanying dra-wings shall be `interpreted as illusf- .trative z and.- not .in ,a-,limitingsense It is alsov -tobe understood that` the following claimsa intended 'to cover .allof the-generic andispecicifeaturesrof thefinventionherein-described,` and all statements of thescope of the inventionqwhich, as la matter of language, might 4be said to fall therebetween.`

i Having described myinvention, what I claim as; new and desire to secure byLetters Patent is:

l l 1,In crown` "cap, reclaiming apparatus,` the combination comprising, la female die having ;a substantially cylindrical socket therein with the side walls of the socket havinga plurality `of` circumferentially spaced apart slotsmextending a predetermined distance vaxiallypf the socket toreceive the ribs interveningbetween theflutes in the skirt of such a cap and to, provideshaping ribs intervening therebetween; a `cap-aligning member in addition tosaid female die which vmember has a socket` therein toreceive such a capand adaptedto cooperate with said female i die when their` axes are substantiallymaligned,

and means in the member socket toA engage `in a flute in theskir't ofsuch` a cap on the` outside thereof for alignment `of the engaged flute with ,p one of theshaping ribs of `said female die; and

predetermined `distance axially of the socket to receive 'the ribs, intervening between the flutes in the skirt of such a capandto provide shaping l l `ribs intervening therebetween; a cap-aligning member in additionto saidfemale die which member has a socket therein to receive such a cap with the `axis ofthe socket substantially aligned with theaxis ;of said female die, and a` plurality of spaced apart longitudinally extend- `ing ribs on the `side walls ofthe member socket arranged circumambiently thereof with eachsubi stantially aligned with one-of the shapingv ribs means to move said capraligning member toward said female die with their socketsin opposed relation.

" 2. In crown capireclaiming apparatus, the

combination comprising, a female die having a4 substantially cylindricalllsocket therein with rthe side walls of the socket having a plurality of cir-` cumferentially spaced apart slotsextending a predetermined distance `axially of the socket to receive the ribs intervening `between the flutes` in the skirt of suchacapfand to provide shap-` ing ribs intervening therebetween;` a cap-align-` ingmember in addition to said female die which member has a socket therein to receive `such `a cap with the axis of V`the socket substantially aligned with the axis `of said female die, andat of lsaid female diedfthe end of each of the ribs of said l cap-aligning member nearest `said female Y die being flared outwardly away from the axis of said socket` readily to engage in a flute in the skirtof sucha` caponxthe` outside thereof for alignmentof the oap-andmeans tol movesaid cap-aligning member toward` said female die with their sockets in opposedlrelation. 5. In crown cap reclaiming apparatus, n the combination comprising, afemale die .having a substantially cylindrical socket therein ,with the side walls `of `the socket having. a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart slots extending ag predetermined distance axially of the `socket to receive the ribsintervening between the flutes `in the skirt of such a cap and to` provide shap-i,

ing ribs,` intervening therebetween; and `a capleast one longitudinally,extending rib `on theside walls of the member socket substantially aligned with one of the shaping ribs of `said female die to engagein a flutein the skirt of such a capon l the outside `thereof for alignment ,of -the cap;`

and means tomovesaid cap-aligning member tol` ward said female die with their sockets in opposed relation. i i l 3. In crown cap reclaiming apparatus, `the combination comprising, a female die having a substantially cylindrical socket therein with the sidewalls of the socket `having a plurality of circumferentially spaced' apart slots extending a.` l

predetermined `distancefaxially of the socketxto receive the .ribs interveningibetween "the flutes p l, l in the skirt `of such a cap and to provide shaping l i ribs intervening therebetween; la cap-'aligning member in addition to said female `die which member has` a socket therein to receive such a cap with the axis ofthe socket lsubstantially aligned with the axisof said female die and at least one longitudinally extending rib on the side `walls of the member socket substantially aligned with one of the shaping `ribs of 'said female die,

latter.

aligning l collar having a `bore extending longi-` tudinally 'therethrough with `the diameter of the latter being "of greater` dimension: than the f greatest lateral tdimensionof sucha cap; said collar `having its axis substantially aligned with the `axis of said female die and being reciprocable toward and away. from the latter, and a plurality of `circurnferentially spaced apart longitudinallyY extending `ribs on thelside` wallvof the borevwith` each substantially aligned with one.

of `the shaping ribsof` saidfemale die, `the end of each of :the `ribs of `said collar nearest `said female die being flared outwardly away from 4the,

axis of said ,collar readilywto `engage in aflute in the skirtofr suchiacapfor alignment `ofthe 6. In crown. cap

substantially cylindrical socketA therein with the `side walls ofthe `socket havingaplurality oficirl cumferentially spacedjapart slots `extending a predetermineddistanceA axially ofthe socketto o receive `the `ribs .intervening `between the lflutes inthe skirt of such a cap and to provide shaping` ribs intervening therebetween; i a cap-aligning collar having `a Abore extending longitudinally therethrough with the diameter of the latter `beingof greaterjdimension than the greatest lateral dimension of `such acap, saidcollarhavng its axis substantially alignedtwith the axis `of said `female `die and `beingreciprocable toward `and `away from `the latter, and a plurality of loir cumferentially; spaced apart longitudinally exthe end 4of the rib ofsaid cap-aligning'member nearest said female `die-,being flared outwardly away from the axis fof said socket readily to engage in a flute in the skirt :of such` a cap on the outside thereof for alignment of the cap;

andmeans to move said cap-aligning member toward said female die `withftheir sockets in Opposedrelation. l I` l 4. In crown l cap reclaiming apparatusfthe combination comprising, a female die having a substantially cylindrical socket therein with the side wallsof the socket havinga plurality of `cir'- cumferentially `spaced Vapart slots `extending `a tending ribs on the side wall ofthe bore'` with each substantially aligned with one of thewshapfemale die.

j '7. In crown cap reclaimingapparatus, the combination comprising, a female die having av substantially cylindrical `socket therein with 'th-e" side walls of 4the fsockethaving afpluralityof reclaiming apparatus, `the combination comprising, rafemalefdie `havingga circumferentially fspacedf apart slots yextending a predeterminedf'dista-nce axiallyA of the socket to receive-'the ribs intervening"between the flutes Vin tlie' `'skirt' 'of suoli- 'ai can and to l provide shaping ribs 4interveningtherebetween; a kcap-aligning member having a socket therein toreceive ysuch av cap and adapte'dtovcooperate with saidfemale die when their-' axes are substantially: aligned, and means'iny the member socket to engage in aflute in the skirt of suena capfor alignment of the engaged flute' witnone of the Yshaping ribs of saidV female die; 'and-' retractable vprojecting means in the die so'cket'initiallyto support 'such afcapin a 'tiltedpositiontdpresent one'of the flutes in the -capfskirtftc said aligning means inthe member-socket'in'suchpositionas to provide-'a well defined notchinwhich-said aligning means may readily engage.

8. In crowncapA rrec'zlaiming' apparatus, the combination comprising; a female 'die'havinga substantially cylindrical` socket therein `with the sideA walls of the-socket having ra plurality of' circumferentially spaced apartvr slots extending a predeterminedldistanceaxially'of thef socket to 'receive the ribs--- intervening," between -theY iiutes in the skirt of? such a cap and t'o'provide shapingribs interveningtherebetween; a cap-aligning structure com'a'rising a vplurality of spaced apart longitudinally extending ribs each subY stantially aligned 'withfone ofI theY shaping ribs of? said femaleVv die and substantially located on the arc of a circle thewcenter of which is substantially aligned with-trieV axis 'ofsaidv Afemale die-` andof sulnci'enti-diameter as: to f permit upon axial movement toward saidifemale -die at least one of 'said 1ribs` t0 'engage' in a fluteY in the skirt of suc'lra cap fd'fin invertedipo'sitionto the vicinity of said femafle 'die4 andsol shaped' as `to* bring the afp' skirt" flutesy into Substantial alignment With' said shaping ribs* f thefem'ale die uponsuc'h movement;l and faretractable' projecting member inthe bottom ofthe die socket offset from" the ax-is thereof! initially'tolsupportlsuchfa capv in l a tilted position tol present*v one Vof the iiutes in the cap vskirt to one of said aligning ribs in such position as toiprovide' a) well-"denecl' notch in which said aligning ribfmay readilyengage.

'9. In crow-n cap-reclaiming' apparatus, the combination comprising;a sleeve-'like female die outward lip and' fa plurality of circumferentially spacedapart slots in the bore wall extending a predetermined: distance from the v outward'flip axially of sai'dfdieto receive the ribs intervening betweenthe flutes in the'lskirt of such a cap and to provide-'shaping ribs intervening therebetween; and afsubstantially cylindrical anvilfblock lreciprocatively mounted in the bore `with/the outward surfacethereof coop` erating with' tliei'bcreV wall't'o provide a cuptudina'llyfextending* ribs'fmfr-` tlresyicl'e"` wall'fofA the bore with each substantially alignechwithv cnet of the ,s sha-ping, ribsf 'of' said: female,I die, i the end of each. of the-ribs ofi said: cci-larfznearestpzsaid female dieebeingLIared" outwardly awayifrom the asien-,85115 the skirtofsuch a cap for alignment of the latL ter; and a spring-biased pin mounted in and initiallt7 projecting froma longitudinally extending borein said anvil block offset fromi theaxis thereof `initiallytosupport such a cap in a tilted positiontopresen't one of the flutes in the cap skirt to one ofv said aligning ribs inV such positionas to' provide a well deiined notch vin which said' aligning rib` may readily engage.

' 1`0. 4In Vcrown capreclaiming apparatus, capaligning means comprising, aJmember having a sockettherein of a lat'eraljdimen'sion greater than the greatest lateral dimension of used crown caps, a plurality of spaced apart longitudinally extending ribs on thevsi'd lwalls ofthe socket arranged circumambiently thereof with each adapted-to engage in a"ute of a skirt of such a cap for aligning the -latter in av predetermined manner, each of'saidribs having an end thereof vflared' outwardly away from the socket axis, reciprocative means to carry said member, and spring biasing means between said carrying means and said member to permit the latter tobe' stopped during forward motion of said carrying means.

l1. In crown ca p reclaiming apparatus, capaligning structure comprising, .a plurality of spaced apart circumambiently varranged mem bers each having a'face to engage in a flute in the outer surface of' af cap skirt, said `members being'so radially spaced when in operative position facing the open faces of such caps as to provide'for reception therebetween of the outerllute surfaces of the cap skirts and meansto'move a. said members simultaneously vtoward a cap'- aligningv position, each of said flute-engaging facesv `being flared outwardly at its cap-engaging portion for engagement in a flute in the outer surface of a" cap" skirt as saidf members areffmovedltoward; the open facefof'such cap:

' l2'. In crown cap reclaiming apparatus, capaligningmeans comprising, a collar having a bore extending longitudinally therethrough with the diameter of the lat-ter'being of greater olimension than the greatest'lateral' 'dimension of used crown caps, a plurality of circumferentiall'y spaced apart longitudinally extending ribs on theside wall ofthe borewith' each adapted to engage in a flute of a skirt of such'a cap'for aligning the latter in a predetermined manner and `having t'liev end: 'thereof near the niouth of the collar ,aredf' outwardly'away frcmtlie `collar. axis to merge withthe bore wall, a. reciprocative elongated member slidably carrying said collar, and a helical' sprin'g'located about saidY substantially cylindrical socket-thereiniwith the side walls of the socket having 'a plurality" of' circumferentially spaced? apart slotsfextending aK predetermined' distance axiallyof the 'socket to receive the ribs" interveningy between: the flutes in vtheskirt of such atcapandto provide shaping;

' ribs-intervening therebetweenwa malediefl'iav-Y ing a substantially circular endltoforc'e the't'op of lsuchl al cap into th'esocket, for 'reshaping 'the same and axiallyY extending flutes and inter--`- venin'g ribs with the"latterllterminating:infenrls shaped .complementary to theezribs in vv'thecap' skirtffandz-arranged forcooperationrwitlirtne'frrbs:

and intervening llutes in the cap skirt; and a cap-aligning structurecomprising a plurality of receive the ribs intervening `between the flutes in the skirt of such a cap and to provide shaping ribs intervening therebetween; `a male die havl ing a substantially circular end to force theztop of such a cap into the socket for reshaping the t same and axially extending flutes and intervening ribs with the latter terminating in ends shaped complementary to the ribs inthe cap skirt and arranged for cooperation with the ribs and intervening flutes in the cap skirt; `anda cap-aligning collar slidably mounted onsaid male die with the mouth of the former initially positioned beyond the outer end of the latter and having inside thereof a plurality of circumferentially arranged longitudinally extending `aligning ribs each slidably received in one of the flutes of said male die, the end of each said p aligning ribs nearest said female die being flared outwardly away from the axis of said collar readily to engage in a flute in the skirt of sucha cap for alignment of capflutes with the shaping ribs of said female die. i i

l5. In crown cap reclaiming apparatus, the

combination comprising;` afemale die having a substantially cylindrical socket therein with the side walls of the socket having a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart slots extending a predetermined distance axially of the socket to receive the ribs intervening between the flutes in the skirt of such a cap and to provide shaping ribs intervening therebetween; a male die having `a substantially circular end to force the top of such a cap into the socket for reshaping the same and axially extending flutes and'intervening ribs with the latter terminating in ends shaped complementary to the ribs in the cap `skirt and arranged for cooperation with the ribs of the fet `male die for reshapingv the ribs and `interven ing flutes in the cap skirt; said socket, circular end and flutes of said dies'being so dimensioned with respect to each other as to receive snugly therebetween the cap stock; a retractable kicker projection extending from the cir` cular end of said male die and of a lateral dil mension as readily to be receivable in distorted caps;` a cap-aligning collar slidably mounted on said male die with the mouth of the former initially positioned beyond the outer end of said male die and having inside thereof a plurality of t circumferentially arranged longitudinally eX-3 `tending aligning ribs each slidably received one of the utes of said male die, the .end of each of said aligning ribs nearest said female die being ared outwardly away from the axis of said collar readily to engage in a lute inthe skirt of such a cap for alignment of cap flutes with shaping ribs of said female die; and spring biasing means mounted with said male die biasi ing said collar to its initial position and to permitit to stop in traveltoward said female die on engagement therewith with said male die sliding through the stopped collar to cooperate with saidfemalel die in reshaping a distorted cap.`

16. In meansfor supporting a crown cap `with its open face positioned outwardly, a cap-aligning and orienting member opposed to said means and providedwith a camming faceto engage in a flute in the outer surface of a cap skirt ared away on the leading side for ready flute engage` ment, and movable means supporting said member with its aredsurface opposed to said cap support means, said `means being adapted to move said member toward said cap support *i i means in a direction substantially parallel to the axis `of the latterfor engagement in a flute in the outer surface of a cap skirt and for subsequent camming action to align and orient the` cap.`

GEORGE FRANKLIN STONE.

`crown cap reclaiming apparatus,` 

